The Sam's Club Bulk Wine That You Should Really Think Twice About
Whether attending a gathering with loved ones or taking the edge off after a long day of shopping for presents, for many, wine is synonymous with a bright and cheery holiday season. Accordingly, lots of people stock up on vino around the holidays to ensure they're ready for guests and gift-giving at a moment's notice (per Shanken News Daily). A great wine collection doesn't have to break the bank, as there are plenty of reasonably priced varieties that are just as pleasing to the palate as higher-priced versions.
Even better, you can conveniently add to your wine collection while shopping for other groceries when you're a member of Sam's Club. As explained on the company's website, Sam Walton founded the warehouse club in 1983, which then catered to the needs of small business owners throughout Midwest City, Oklahoma. The members-only establishment has since evolved, and families are now welcome to access a range of great deals on bulk items. With nearly 600 locations, the chain has also established a strong presence throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. And while shoppers can find many name-brand items on the shelves, Sam's Club also features its own private brand called Member's Mark, which includes an assortment of wine.
From bulk groceries to private label wines
According to the Sam's Club corporate website, the Member's Mark label was first introduced to consumers in 1998. It sells a wide variety of items, such as clothing, furniture, groceries, home goods, and more. It wasn't until 2004 that the chain added wines to its selection of private-label goods, per the Orlando Sentinel. That year saw the release of the label's white wine collection, which was quickly followed up by a selection of red wines the following year.
Ever the innovator, Sam's Club even began offering wine delivery in selected states in 2021, as noted by Supermarket News. The direct delivery service featured numerous varieties from the Member's Mark line, including chardonnay, malbec, zinfandel, prosecco, and many others. The initial launch included 16 states, as well as Washington, D.C. Along with the convenience of direct delivery, the service also allowed a wider range of customers to access private label selections. These days, shoppers can even purchase their wine in bulk like other goods sold at the store. However, buying in bulk might not be the best option when it comes to wine.
Not the bargain you were hoping for
Among the many white and rosé varieties offered by the store, Sam's Club also features the Member's Mark Red Wines Assorted pack. For $92.76, shoppers will receive 12 wines total, including malbec, zinfandel, pinot noir, and cabernet sauvignon in sets of 3. These varietals are included specifically for their popularity among members, and on the surface, it appears that the assortment offers a great bargain. But keep in mind that you may not love all the Member's Mark reds equally, which can leave you with a few unwanted bottles hanging around the home.
If you're not already familiar with the Member's Mark red wine selection, Insider provides a bit of insight regarding taste and quality. Seven selections were taste-tested overall, including the malbec and zinfandel currently available within the bulk assortment. Regarding the malbec, some tasters extolled the wine's rich flavors and deemed it "highly drinkable." Others were turned off by the malbec's flavor profile, claiming that it tasted "bitter." Reviews were equally conflicted for the zinfandel, with some stating they would mistake it for a much more expensive bottle. Others were put off by the emptiness of the wine's body, which refers to its mouthfeel (per JJ Buckley). These reviews illustrate the diverse opinions people have about wine and highlight why it's usually better to buy one bottle at a time.